Misty morning at Barrusclet

October 2007, early in the morning.

Renovation Progress

These three pictures are of the same aspect of the building. They show that things are finally being reconstructed after weeks of clearing the site. This part of the house was in the worst condition of all. There was actually a large tree growing right next to it that had pushed the wall over. The roof had caved in and it was fairly unsafe. I've got loads more pictures so I might put those up at a later date.

The stone wall was really not worth saving here and so redbrick has been used and will be rendered/creppied later.

I am a bit disappointed that we are going to loose the little pitched roof detail. Already financial restraints are kicking in, and we have to go for the cheaper construction. No-one else thinks it will matter, but I do! This is really the back of the house and so less important. However not putting the pitch in will make this a more boring facade. But better to save money here I suppose, and have enough left to finish the building.

A view from my office

Take a look at the view from my office. Can anyone beat this?

July 2007

French Renovation Project

Yeh!!!!!!!!! At last, the clean up And rebuild has begun in earnest. The guys are working on putting a concrete belt around the exterior walls of the building to secure it. It looks better already, although that might be because it has finally stopped raining and the sun has come out.

Base camp Barrusclet

This is our office where all important decisions are made. It is also home for when we visit. A second hand caravan that we towed down from England will save on hotel bills, plus we can survey our domain from dawn until dusk. Plastic green conference/breakfast table, wild flowers in the vase, and Hallelujah, the sun has come out.

How to renovate a French farmhouse

Well, I guess you can see what we are up against. From here on we are going to start to reconstruct and put this place back together! We will have our dream home, our place in the sunshine of South West France. Why is it always raining here then? The mud here must be the stickiest in the world. Surely things can only improve from this point?

French Renovation Project

That title should probably read more like French demolition project!